The little Judge, finding things going against the first family of the Forks, felt also that he in some way was concerned, and felt called upon to explain. This was his theory and explanation.
"The Widow was a widow?"
"Yes."
"The Legislature met at San José on the first day of September?"
"Yes."
"The Legislature granted that first session enough divorces to fill a book?"
"Well?"
"This young woman, this Widow, might 'a bin married; she might 'a bin on her way to the mountains; she might 'a stopped in there and got her divorce, one day on her way up; she might 'a come right on here and got coaxed into marrying Sandy."
"Rather quick work, wouldn't it be, Judge?"
"Well, considering the climate of Californy, I think not." And the little man pushed out his legs under the card-table, puffed out his little red cheeks, leaned back, and felt perfectly certain that he had made a great point, while the wise men of the camp sat there more confused than before.